EFFORTS to restore Kilimanjaro Region as Tanzania’s leading coffee producer are gaining momentum with coffee revival project reaching 17,000 farmers across the region.

The initiative, spearheaded by Floresta Tanzania, has reinvigorated local coffee farmers while the Tanzania Coffee Board (TCB) has further encouraged them by announcing an increase in the indicative price for coffee.

Floresta Tanzania’s Director, Richard Mhina, said the project aims to bring Kilimanjaro’s coffee production back to the high quality and volume it enjoyed during the 1980s and 1990s. This, he said, will ensure farmers regain strong, sustainable incomes from the crop.

“We want to restore the ecology alongside reviving coffee, banana and fruit production in Kilimanjaro. At Floresta, environmental conservation education goes hand in hand with promoting coffee farming,” Mhina said.

He emphasized that Floresta educates farmers on adapting to climate change by planting appropriate tree species near water sources to enhance yields and protect the environment.

“Farmers in Kilimanjaro once lived well because of coffee which brought income. We remind them of what was lost and encourage them to revive coffee farming to regain those benefits. We also create enabling environment by ensuring farms have healthy coffee seedlings, making it easier for farmers to grow coffee successfully,” Mhina added.

The renewed focus on coffee production in Kilimanjaro comes at a crucial time as Tanzania seeks to strengthen its agriculture economy and improve livelihoods for smallholder farmers.

TCB Director General Primus Kimaryo announced new indicative prices: Arabica parchment coffee rose from 10,000/- last season to 11,500/- per kilo.

The 11,500/- price applies to coffee processed at small factories within cooperatives while home-processed coffee saw prices increase from 8,500/- to 9,000/- per kilo.

Raw Robusta (dry cherry) is priced at 4,800/- per kilo while hard Arabica coffee is set at 5,000/-.